by Shelly | Jan 21, 2014 | family, kids, special project, women |
“How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it.
How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it.
How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ’em.
How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give ’em.” — Shel Silverstein
Kathe and Shelly have been best friends just about forever. And talk about coincidence, they grew up in my old hometown of Midland, Texas but I never knew either of them until Kathe moved to Houston. We met in Bible Study and bonded over our Midland roots and Kathe’s wonderfully wise and witty take on life in general.
These two amazing ladies take the time to get together several times a year, despite the eight hours of Texas Highway stretching between their homes — AND they’ve created a tradition of celebrating their daughters’ tenth birthdays BIG TIME. So, when Shelly’s youngest girls who happen to be twins were turning 10, Kathe decided that a spa day followed by a special portrait session would be a great way to cap off their week in Houston.
What a special time in life. K & K are definitely not little girls anymore, but they’re not quite teens yet either. The lingering sweet innocence of childhood still fills their souls, but if you look deep into those eyes you’ll see the gentle unfolding of strong and wise young women.
We focused most of our session on the birthday girls, but would have been amiss if we didn’t capture this precious sweet relationship that weaves its way through two generations
— mothers, daughters, sisters, friends.
Oh what a treasure! I’m so glad that I got to be a part of their celebration.
by Shelly | Jun 3, 2013 | fashion, wedding, women |
There’s this gorgeous young woman who officially joined our family nearly a year and a half ago — and there’s also this amazingly scrumptious dress that’s been hanging in our front hall closet ever since the day she and my first son returned from their honeymoon.
I’ve been waiting and waiting for her to get back into the dress and go play with me and my camera. The old adage about the shoemakers children having no shoes definitely carries over to photographers as well. Our own kids are the last ones to get booked on our portrait schedules. It finally fell together not too long ago when we had a trip planned with just a little extra time to kill.
Lisa earned her degree in nutrition from The University of Houston, and she is very good at creating oh-s0-yummy and still super-healthy goodies in her own little kitchen. That’s why Sweetpea’s Bakery provided a perfect first stop for us. Unfortunately, there was no cupcake sampling for us that day because the shop was going out of business. Everything was still adorably decorated, though, and we had private access. Definitely a lucky coup for us.
It’s great to have inside connections, and I’m thrilled that we got to shoot here before this place went away. BUT… an Italian Cream Cupcake sure would have tasted good about now. RATZ!
Oh how I love working in back alleys…. small towns, urban centers, doesn’t matter… give me some good grunge, and maybe a little street art… HEAVEN!
Moving garbage cans out of the way gets a little bit nasty, but I know to carry wipes and hand sanitizer.
Probably the highlight of our session for me was spending a little time at “The Station.”
We drove over to an old empty Mobile Filling Station that my grandfather owned and operated until the mid 1970’s when he retired. It wasn’t just an ordinary filling station either. This station had a bar that served up ice cold longneck bottles of beer, and for the kids, every flavor of sodie pop you can name… and ice cream sandwiches. Mmmmmm!
I think that about a half dozen local retirees used to practically rotate shifts, sitting on the bar stools, drinking and smoking at the station. I never knew their names, but can still see their faces in my mind’s eye. A liquor store was attached, but with a separate entrance on one side of the building. On the other side, a corrugated tin drive- in awning, or car-shade as we called it, allowed people to sit in the shade in their cars, drinking cokes or beer and eating snacks as long as they pleased. When the customers wanted to place an order or were done and ready to leave they could honk the horn and Pawpaw or one of his employees would come out side, take orders, and deliver treats on a window-mount tray.
I ran around this building with my brothers and cousins, barefooted and out of control for years…
My my how times have changed. The gas pumps are gone. I do NOT get out of the car without shoes at a filling station or anywhere!
The doors are locked, but the station building still stands, just a little more worn from the years that have passed.
I am so glad that I got to share this little bit of family history with our newest family member. 
by Shelly | Apr 29, 2013 | baby |
Fitness — I don’t think little Isaiah stands a chance of turning into a couch potato any time soon. He’s already got the dumbbell action going on. 
His daddy owns Medical Fitness Pros, the gym where my husband and I are getting ourselves into shape. We both love the thorough workouts and personal attention we get there, and so I was thrilled when I learned that “Aunt Shelly” would get to dote on this little guy at only 10 days old.
Isaiah’s mommy is kinda very super gorgeous too. How could we miss?
Naturally I snuck in a few hugs and snuggles for myself in between sets. It’s been a lot of years since my guys were tiny, but lovin’ on baby boys still comes oh so naturally. It was hard to send him home when we were done, but I’m counting on seeing more of this little guy again.
by Shelly | Feb 6, 2013 | baby, family |
This baby girl, about as sweet as a strawberry sundae with whipped cream and sprinkles on top, came to visit me the other day.
We had planned for an outdoor session, but the cold wet weather made us change our plans and move into the studio. I’m so thankful on days like this for the flexibility of backup locations, because Baby, Mama and Daddy were all safe, dry, cozy and comfortable for our time together.
Mommy and Daddy, also known as Kristin and Bobby have a long and romantic history together. It all started when Bobby fell heels over head in love with his best friend’s little sister back in high school. That’s about all there is to it. In actuality, their Love Story would probably make a pretty good movie, except they’ve only just started living it. We’ll just have to check back in with them over years to read the happy epilogue. Personally I think it will include a happily ever after with picket fences, puppy dogs, and silly songs– Kool Aid mustaches, and finger paints — Dancing on Daddy’s feet and of course, lots and lots of Butterfly Kisses.
I can’t begin to say how much I enjoyed getting to know this sweet family. I so look forward to watching and photographing more scenes for their movie.
Popcorn anyone?
by Shelly | Jan 2, 2013 | family |
Talk about HISTORY! Kim Stowers and I go back a very long way.
Like, back to Brownies and Girl Scouts at Rusk Elementary, High School Band, Family Water-Ski and Camping Trips, and a High School Graduation Trek across Europe, one that we started planning in fifth grade. We called each other “Sis” and we called each other’s parents Mom and Dad… But all that was a very long time ago.
Fast forward through college, kids, marriages, achievements, heartaches, illnesses, the untimely deaths of half of our parents, and in general… LIFE. While we never actually lost contact with each other, we didn’t stay in touch as well as we should have either. The last time I saw Kim’s girls, Liz and Katt, they were about kindergarten/preschool age. Now they are are just about grown.
My, how time FLIES!
What an honor it was to get to photograph this amazing and fun-loving bunch not so long ago when I was back in Midland.
Still, the things they say about old friends are true. You honestly do get to pick up where you left off — and it is OH SO SWEET!
Yeah… Time Flies, but we won’t let so much of it get away from us from here on out, will we?
LOVE YA SIS!
